“Know that we pray for you that our dreams for you will be fulfilled.”

On Friday evening, the Foundation for Catholic Education in Chester County held a Hall of Fame Gala to celebrate Catholic Education. The Hall of Fame honors life-long contributors to Catholic Education in Chester County, either as educators, as leaders in Catholic education, or as benefactors. St. Joseph School and Bishop Shanahan have been well-represented. The first benefactor inducted was our own Mrs. Barbara Travaglini. Mrs. Travaglini and her family have donated so much to our parish and school, as well as to Bishop Shanahan. Last year, Mr. Paul Finley of BSHS was honored for his many years of teaching at Shanahan. This year, St. Joseph School was represented in a couple of ways. Mr. William Latoff of DNB First was recognized for his many, many contributions to Catholic Education. Our school has benefitted from his donations to BLOCS through the Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC). Mr. Latoff went to St. Cecilia School (Coatesville) and to St. Joseph School. He shared the above quote from one of the IHM Sisters who taught him in grade school. The other way our school was represented was through student testimonials. Muchiri Kiiru and Madelyn Morris spoke to the guests about how important their Catholic education at St. Joseph School has been to them. I would like to share their deep appreciation and some of their insights with you.

Muchiri said, “Catholic education means the world to my family and me. Our Catholic faith is always #1. Whenever we are in need, in trouble or any other scenario, we always turn to our faith before all else. Without Catholic faith I do not think I would be the person I am today.

“I've attended Saint Joseph School since I was in Kindergarten. Since then, I've learned many Catholic values such as the Golden Rule, the Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy. Our school has also taught me many values for example respecting others, appreciating what you have, sharing, being patient, kind, and helping others. These values have shaped me into who I am today.”

Maddie said, “My parents have afforded me the opportunity to receive a Catholic education and, there is no question, my time at St. Joe’s has been a true blessing. The knowledge I have gained, combined with my spiritual growth, truly reinforces how fortunate I’ve been at this stage of my life.

“I’d like to think most kids just go to school, learn what they need to do, and then move on to the next chapter of their lives without actually embracing the complete school experience. One of the really neat things about St. Joe’s is that I get both, the education and the Catholic up-bringing. I’ve had the opportunity to make true friendships, learn more about my religion, and get an amazing education that will prepare me well for high school, college and beyond.”

As I read over their talks and listened to them speak on Friday, I was very impressed by our students. One of the prayers that I have for our students is that St. Joseph School will prepare them well for life. It is very hard for young people to live their Christian faith every day, especially in our crazy world. They are tempted in so many ways: social media, texting, using unacceptable language (that is often seen as acceptable), playing violent games, etc. Simply, our young people are not allowed to stay young too long; they are simply growing up too fast! How can we help our young people realize the dreams we have for them? How can living our Catholic, Christian values, which I know are part of my dream for the students of St. Joseph School, be fulfilled? I know each of us, parents, faculty and staff members, can help by being the loving and responsible adults that they need in their lives. How can we do this? Say NO to the things that they do not need. Say NO to clothes/styles that can be too old or offensive. Take cell phones away. Check messages on cell phones and I-Pads. Limit use of I-Pads so that homework, family time, and rest are the priorities in the evening. Watch the games the children play and the movies/TV that they watch. Talk to your children about appropriate language at all times. Let us together build dreams for our young people that will help them lead the best Catholic Christian life possible. Let us pray that our dreams for them will be fulfilled!

Have a great week! God bless you! Sister Catherine Irene, IHM

+Dear Parents, October 28, 2014

I would like to thank Jenn Messina and the entire Harvest Fest

committee for all of their time, hard work, energy, and creativity! It

surely was evident in another great Harvest Fest! I am always amazed

how our school can be transformed from a school on Friday afternoon

to hallways filled with families, students, and alumni on Saturday and

back to a school on Monday! There are not enough words to say how

grateful we are! So, on behalf of the faculty and staff, as well as on

behalf of the students and their families, I say THANK YOU,

HARVEST FEST COMMITTEE, for a wonderful and successful event!

Pucker Up! Congratulations to the winners of our Kiss-A-Cow Contest!

1. Monsignor McLoone

2. Miss Fazzini

3. Mrs. Welsh

4. Sister Diane

5. Sister Catherine, Sister Christine & Father Rossi Our Cow Kissing Assembly is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, November 5th, at 1:00

p.m. It will be a MOOOO-ving bovine experience!

Dress Down Day Winners

Congratulations to the following homerooms that met their raffle ticket sales goal and

earned a Dress Down Day!

PreK 3's, K1, K-2, K-3, 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B,

2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A,

7B, 7C, 8A

Extra Recess Winners

Congratulations to the following homerooms that doubled their raffle ticket

sales goal and earned an Extra Recess!

PreK 3's, K-1, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C,

3C, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B

And the Winners Are...

1st Prize

Scott Mackenzie Reserved Pew at

Christmas Eve 4pm Mass

2nd Prize

Anne Marie Cangin Xbox 360 Kinect

3rd Prize

Sean Morisoli Apple iPad Mini

4th Prize

Jeannine Yousif Flyers Tickets

5th Prize

Marcia Kabatt Beats Headphones

Name the Skeleton We are pleased to announce the winning name of our new bony friend in

the Science Lab...

Bob

Bob enjoyed meeting all of you at Harvest Fest. He'll see you back in

the lab!

Looking Ahead: October 27 Sister Regina and Sister Maureen, BSHS, visit Grades 7 and 8 at 1:30 in Cafeteria October 28 Grade 4 Class Trip; Pink Out Day – See notice below October 29 Orange Accessory Day – See notice below! Home and School Board Meeting in the Library, 7:00 p.m. October 30 Grade 1 All Saints’ Program at 10:00 a.m. for school and 1:30 p.m. for families Grade 8 Class Trip October 31 Professional Development Day: No School for Students November 5 Kiss the Cow Assembly at 1:00 p.m. November 6 Open House and Tours, 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Grades 6 and 7 attend the matinee of Cinderella Uniform Exchange, 7:00 p.m. in Cafeteria November 7 School Liturgy at 10:15 a.m.; Family Bingo in the evening; flyer is included November 8 Christine Federico Ambrose Memorial 5K Run - 1 Mile Walk & Kids Fun Run November 13 Universal High School Visitation Day: Grade 8 visits BSHS November 13 – 14 Parent Conferences (after school and evening on 11/13 and until noon on 11/14) NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS ON NOVEMBER 14 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 4th annual Christine Federico Ambrose Memorial Sea You at the Beach 5K Run - 1 Mile Walk and Kids Fun Run will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 9:00am in Thorndale, PA (Caln Municipal Park). This event benefits the Christine Federico Ambrose Children’s Education Fund and For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to register please visit: www.seayouatthebeach5k.org

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Our students may proudly wear pink on Tuesday, October 28, to raise funds and awareness for women with breast cancer money. Students are asked to bring in a donation and we will send the money to Unite for HER, UFH. Donations of any size will be accepted for this wonderful cause! Thank you in advance for your support!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Orange Accessory Day: The Student Council would like to generate some school spirit and they have asked for an Orange Accessory Day! So, on Wednesday, October 29, all students, faculty, and staff are invited to have some fun by wearing orange accessories to school. Wear your orange socks, headbands, ties, wristbands, or shirts over your uniforms. There is no charge! We are simply going Orange to have some fun and bring some smiles to each other! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MY STUDENTS PROGRESS: You should be receiving an email today from My Students Progress with your password information. We hope that you will be able to access your children’s information. Please note: Kindergarten parents do not access their skills in advance. Please be patient with us as we make adjustments in terms of weighting different categories – for tests, projects, quizzes, etc. The Special Subjects still have some adjustments to make since they use a 4-point grading scale. For example, you might see an 80 for Special Area Subject. According to the set-up of MSP, this grade will convert to a 3. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you for your patience with this program.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FAMILY NIGHT Doors open at 6:15 PM. Games begin at 7 PM.

Please join us for a fun filled night of 10

rounds of Bingo. We’ll have a child and an

adult winner for each round! There are a

limited number of seats (275) so reserve your

spot now. Games end at 9:00 PM.

If you would like to have pizza and beverages, please preorder using the

form below. Pizza is $9.00 a pie or $1.25 per slice.*PREORDERS ONLY*

Water and Soda - $.50

Bingo daubers on sale at the door for $1, or bring your own marker

**Please…All Children must be accompanied by an adult.

No child may be dropped off at Family Bingo. Thank you kindly.

Contact: Suzann Poppe at suzann@design-corp.com

…………………………………………………………………………

Family Name: _________________Phone number: _______________

# of Adults: ______ # of Children: ______HR:____ $: __________

Pizza order: # of______ whole pizzas x $9.00 = + $: __________

# of______ slices of pizza x $1.25 = + $: __________

Drink order: # of______ drinks x $.50 = + $: __________

Make check payable to: St. Joseph HSA

Total Amount enclosed: = $: _________.00__

$5.00 per person or

$20.00 family maximum